LAGOS, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- At least 18 students have allegedly been killed in the last two weeks following suspected cult clashes in southern Nigerian universities, the Guardian newspaper reported on Tuesday.

    All victims of the clashes were identified as students of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) as well asthe University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the report said.

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was quotedas saying that the clashes were between members of three cult groups: the Black Axe, Vikings and Black Beret, but the cause was yet to be identified.

    Chairman of the NANS Violent Crimes, Crises and Cultism Eradication Committee, Ekwenye Chibuzo Kingsley, also accused some government officials of fanning the embers of cultism in schools.

    "About 18 students have lost their lives in Enugu in the last two weeks as a result of cult clashes," he said, adding: "Cult activities are like witch craft. They operate like a network and the moment any member of the group is harmed, the others will retaliate wherever they are."

    Hundreds of students were killed yearly in cult clashes in Nigeria's more than 100 higher educational institutions, which once were regarded as among Africa's finest. Enditem